Lee Nak-yeon: "Claiming the Judicial Risk Is Over Is Image Manipulation by Lee Jae-myung or the Democratic Party" [Interview]

"Supreme Court Must Resolve Confusion Over Public Official Election Act Ruling"
"Trials Should Proceed Even If Elected President, in Line With the Constitution"
"Ma Eun-hyuk Should Be Appointed; Opposes Impeachment of Han Duck-soo and Choi Sang-mok"
"Will Strive Until the End to Clear Politics of Yoon Seok-youl and Lee Jae-myung"

Former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon appeared for one hour on the Asia Economy YouTube channel 'AK Radio' at 3 p.m. on the 28th. The full interview and video are scheduled to be released at 9 a.m. on the 2nd.

In the interview, former Prime Minister Lee emphasized, "Representative Lee Jae-myung's judicial risks are not over." "Among the five trials, the one related to the Public Official Election Act was the clearest. Among the five trials, it is the lightest in terms of the nature of the crime. Just because the High Court has made a ruling on that one does not mean the judicial risk is over; that is image manipulation by Representative Lee Jae-myung or the Democratic Party. Much more serious charges are still waiting without even starting trial yet."

He added, "The appellate court ruling on the Public Official Election Act case is completely different from the first and second trials and also differs from the Supreme Court's judgment, so the Supreme Court has no choice but to step in and resolve it. Since the Supreme Court is a court of law, there is no need to verify the facts further, and it can determine whether the law was applied correctly or incorrectly just by reviewing the documents. It should not take much time. Now is the time when Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae's leadership is needed," he said.

Former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon is giving an interview at the Asia Economy AK Radio studio in Chungmuro, Jung-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of March 28. Photo by Heo Young-han

Former Prime Minister Lee predicted, "If Representative Lee runs for president, judicial risks will become the biggest issue in the presidential election." "For example, there will be major controversy over whether all ongoing trials will be suspended if he becomes president. There will be disputes over legitimacy, and there is a high possibility of new chaos starting from the inauguration day. This is a national risk. From a constitutional perspective, ongoing trials must continue as they are. The Constitution grants the prosecution right to the National Assembly and the adjudication right to the Constitutional Court regarding impeachment. This means prosecution and trial are different. Even if he becomes president, it is consistent with the Constitution that existing trials proceed as usual," he said.

He also stated, "Since the Constitutional Court has ruled unconstitutional, Acting Prime Minister Han Duck-soo should appoint Ma Eun-hyuk as a Constitutional Court Justice candidate," but criticized the Democratic Party by saying, "It is not right for the Democratic Party to mention impeachment against Acting Prime Minister Han Duck-soo or Deputy Prime Minister for Economy Choi Sang-mok." He expressed opposition to impeachment against Acting Prime Minister Han, saying, "If the law is interpreted strictly, imposing disciplinary action twice for the same reason would be illegal."

Former Prime Minister Lee emphasized, "I will strive until the last moment to clear the politics of Yoon Seok-youl and Lee Jae-myung," and added, "I will do what I have to do in the future according to two principles: to be of help to the country and to align with the way Lee Nak-yeon has lived."